Melissa Gilbert Cast for Season 14 of Dancing With the Stars

Today, ABC announced the cast for Season 14 of Dancing With the Stars. Headliners include, Little House on the Prairie star, Melissa Gilbert.

While I don't watch this show at all, I can't say I'm surprised. Gilbert got into shape dancing for Little House on the Prairie, the Musical. She should do well on DWTS. I was also excited to see Disney Channel star, Roshon Fegan in the line up. He's my favorite character from Shake It Up. I might have to record a few of these episodes to catch Gilbert and Fegan in action.

Survey Results and New Laura Ingalls Wilder Project

Very interesting survey results this month. We were talking about Melissa (Sue) Anderson's new book, The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House.

I asked if you had read this autobiography. Surprisingly, most of those who voted didn't even know she had written a book. The two Melissas and Alison Arngrim writing books has been such the topic of conversation in our LHOP circles that I figured everyone must have heard about it by now. Silly me!

Most of the people who read the book said they loved it, but some didn't care for it. Others don't have plans to buy it. A couple of readers had the book on order when they voted.

This is certainly the year for Little House fans. The shipping date for Alison's book is listed on my order as June 21st, but I am hoping it will ship early. Out of the three, this is the one I wanted to read most.

Just in case you didn't know, Dean Butler has completed his Laura Ingalls Wilder documentary through the Legacy Documentaries brand of his production company, Peak Moore Enterprises, Inc. Some of my online chums met up with Dean this past weekend in Sioux Falls, SD, where he showed this documentary. They gave it two thumbs up! We'll keep you posted when we hear anything new on this.

My friends also got a chance to see Little House on the Prairie: The Musical while in Sioux Falls. To say I am extremely jealous would be an understatement.

I appreciate you taking the time to pop in here. I love talking about my favorite show and America's favorite pioneer.

Happy Birthday Laura!

In Chapter 20 of Little Town on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder shares the time she attended a birthday party for Ben Woodworth. It seems Laura didn't like much about her appearance. She wanted to be "tall and willowy, like Nellie Oleson". Her eyes were too far apart and they didn't sparkle. Though her hair was think and long, it wasn't golden like her sister Mary's.

Laura and her friend, Mary Power, went to the party together. They had: oyster soup with tiny oyster crackers, potato patties, codfish balls, and biscuits. They drank coffee and there was cake for dessert. The whole oranges that were cut to look like flowers were eaten with the cake. Then they played games and Laura told her Pa and Ma all about it.

Laura had so much fun that she had trouble concentrating in school. We learn in the next chapter that Laura will turn sixteen in ten months.

When you read chapters like this, you realize not everything has changed for teenage girls. Laura was not happy with how she looked, which is a problem that plagues many girls today. She was nervous about going to the party, but she had fun, and then school no longer held as much of her attention.

We see the young woman that Laura is quickly becoming. Laura meets Almanzo for the first time, though she knew who he was. They exchange name cards and soon Almanzo is escorting her home in the evenings.

Today, we honor the legacy that Laura Ingalls Wilder left us. Her books have touched hearts for generations and show no signs of slowing down. Television series and TV movies have been based upon those books that Laura wrote at the urging of her daughter Rose. Those same books are used by students who are studying the pioneering era, and there are still young girls who dress up like Laura on Halloween.

On her 143rd birthday, we offer our thanks that one little girl growing up on the prairie, many years later, put pen to paper and shared her life with us. With the popularity of the Little House on the Prairie Musical, and Dean Butler and Legacy Documentaries working on Laura Ingalls Wilder related projects, Laura's legacy will continue to play a role in the lives of many families. May we always remember Laura Ingalls Wilder!

Happy Birthday Laura!

Survey Results

Not surprisingly, the majority of our readers would like to see Dean Butler play a part in Little House on the Prairie: The Musical. Twenty percent, however, only wanted him to be part of the production if his performance would be close enough for them to see the show. But when 7% of our readers responded "Dean who?" I really began to get worried. Out of all the cast members I talk about Dean the most, so where have these people been hiding all this time. LOL!

I've been away for a couple of weeks, but Dean, the actor who portrayed Almanzo Wilder on Little House on the Prairie for those 7% who don't know, was in Green Bay recently, along with Laura Ingalls Wilder biographer William Anderson to celebrate Laura Ingalls Wilder Day at Heritage Hill State Historical Park. Beth Ingalls-Leisses, one of Charles Ingalls's relatives, and a friend of mine, met Dean and Bill while they were there.

I want to thank my friend Lorrie for thinking of me while she spent time rubbing elbows with Dean and Bill. This week's mail brought me an autographed copy of William Anderson's The Story of the Ingalls and autographed greettings from Dean. I am extremely happy!

Look for a new survey coming soon!

Preliminary Survey Results

While there are still 11 days left to vote, not surprisingly it looks like our readers would like to see Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder, NBC) performing in the Little House on the Prairie Musical.

A couple of my friends plan to see Dean this weekend while he and Bill Anderson are at Heritage Hill State Historical Park, a living history museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Here's a short article from the Green Bay Press Gazette about Dean's appearance.

Hopefully my chums will share some photos and their experiences with us.

Dean Butler to Appear in Sioux Falls, SD

Argus Leader Media has reported that Little House on the Prairie's Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) will be on hand at The Washington Pavillion of Arts and Science on June 27, 2009 to kick off sales for Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, which will be playing at the Great Hall in June 2010.

As most people know, Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie has been cast in the role of Caroline (Ma) Ingalls in the musical.

Gilbert also released her autobiography this month. Prairie Tale is available at Amazon.com.

Butler will also sign autographs and discuss his time on the show. Additional activities include: rope making, prairie hairstyles, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Performers. Please visit www.washingtonpavilion.org for more information.

The Little House on the Prairie Musical on Tour in 2009-2010

The New York Times reports that the Little House on the Prairie Musical, starring Melissa Gilbert (who played Laura on the Little House television series) as Ma, will run for five weeks at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. A tour of performances in more than 30 cities is planned through 2010.



* Photo credit goes to the Little House on the Prairie Musical website.

Little House on the Prairie Musical Coming to Denver Center in December 2009

Melissa Gilbert as Ma Ingalls in Little House on the Praire. Photo by Michal Daniel



According to Playbill News, Little House on the Prairie the Musical staring Melissa Gilbert will be coming to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in December 2009. You can read the announcement here.

For more information visit www.denvercenter.org.

New Website for Little House on the Prairie, a New Musical

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Little House on the Prairie Musical, plans are in the works for a North American Tour in 2009. If you go to www.littlehousethemusical.com, you'll find a temporary website that allows you to input your email address so that you can receive updated news.

Cast from Little House the Musical Visit Walnut Grove

Melissa Gilbert and the cast of the Gutherie Little House on the Prairie production visited Walnut Grove on October 6th. Check out MarshallIndependent.com for more infomation.